Do Right and Silence Foolish People

First of all I want to say that the title for this exhortation came straight out of the Bible. And I had to read it a few times and even cross reference in different versions. Because I have developed the philosophy that if you’re going to comment, criticize, or condemn even, that it should never be personal. 

In other words, if we are having a conversation and I strongly disagree with something you said, I won’t tell you that you’re stupid or you’re an idiot, or that you’re crazy. I must bring my case and argue the point or the merit of your statement or point of view. No name calling, rather a discussion on the topic. Somebody needed to hear that. 

So when I read 1 Peter 2:15 from the Amplified version of the Bible, I was a little surprised. And so I decided to explore the verse and I was like, ‘ahh ok, now I understand where this is going’.

And that’s why it is important to read the Bible in context. 

So let us not only look at 1 Peter 2 verse 15, but let’s read 1 Peter 2:1-2, and verses 11-15, which talks about growing in holiness and living Godly lives.

”So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech; like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment], Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul…

Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy]…

Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power, or to governors as sent by him to bring punishment to those who do wrong, and to praise and encourage those who do right…

For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable] ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people.“

We see that in 1 Peter 2 verses 1-2, believers are being encouraged to clean house, so to speak: get rid of malice, pretense, envy and hurtful talk. The scripture emphasizes a desire for spiritual growth and sincere kindness. It encourages us to grow up mature and whole in God.

In 1 Peter 2:11-15, we are reminded that this world is not our home, we are foreigners and exiles here. So don’t get all into ourselves, don’t be egotistical and run after worldly desires. Rather, we should live exemplary Christian lives, maintain honourable conduct, so that the way we live will refute or negate or put to naught anything non-believers might say about us. Because we know that as Christians, those outside the household of faith are monitoring us.

So this passage really is a call for us to be responsible Christians. No wishy washy, one foot in one foot out, depending on how I feel, lukewarm, Sabbath or Sunday only kinda Christian.

So I am understanding here that the Bible isn’t labelling anyone as being foolish, ignorant, stupid, unwise, really. Rather, the scripture is referring to their attitude, the way in which they speak against right living Christians.

The New Living Translation puts it this way: ”It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.“  

So, ‘foolish people’ here is referring to those who don’t understand the Christian way of life and just go about blabbing their mouths. 

Therefore what the Word of God is teaching us as believers, is that if we do right, we can shut them up, because no matter what they say it would not hold water so to speak. Their criticisms would be uninformed and baseless. 

The Bible tells us in Matthew 5:16 AMP ”Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.“

Ephesians 2:10 reminds us ”For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].“

Colossians 3:17 ”Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.“

James 2:14-17 sums it up: ”What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.] If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves,” but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do? So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].“

As I said earlier, generally, one should use respectful and constructive language when referring to others. Name-calling or labeling people as "foolish" can bring about argument, can lead to people feeling demoralised and is just negative and uncalled for.

So even here at ZJoyVI, I don’t encourage negativity in the chat. We don’t use derogatory terms to describe anyone. 

Rather, we are here to encourage and inspire one another, to build up each other. Here we discuss our Bible based beliefs as we trod this Christian journey, awaiting the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

We are here to encourage one another to do right by God’s standards. We will not be distracted. Foolish, ignorant people will be silenced, in Jesus Name. 

And if you’re just catching the end of this exhortation, please go back to the beginning before exclaiming or criticising or getting upset. Amen. ”

We will make our Master proud of us by being good citizens. For it is God’s will that by doing good, we might cure the ignorance of the fools who think we are a danger to society. Let us exercise our freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Instead, let us treat everyone we meet with dignity, love our spiritual family, revere God and respect the government.

That’s 1 Peter 2:13-17 from The Message version of God’s Holy Words, The Bible. Amen!

aub - 11 March 2024

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